The Laughing Queen: Cleopatra — E. Barrington

Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, is bound by the will her father left, in which he requested that she was to marry her younger brother and jointly rule Egypt.

Unable to fathom such a union and fearful that her siblings may murder her and rule themselves, she goes into hiding with her faithful servant and secretary, Charmion and Apollodoros.

Julius Caesar is aware that Egypt is in awe of Cleopatra and unreceptive to a Roman Dictator. However, the will of the dead King of Egypt also left the Roman Republic as guardian to his children. With this authority, Caesar orders the young king to let their rightful Queen, Cleopatra, return and for them to unite as one in public at least.

When Cleopatra herself arrives in Rome and offers a solution that will see Egypt and Rome work in harmony, Caesar is impressed and immediately trusts her.

With Caesar's support, Cleopatra triumphs over her siblings and reigns as the sole Queen of Egypt. During this time, she and Caesar develop a close relationship and she informs him of the requierement for her to have a child.

Caesar, married to Calpurnia sees an opportunity. Several years senior to Cleopatra make no difference in his mission to capture the hearts of Egypt. Unable to resist Cleopatra's beauty and charm, Caesar fulfils Cleopatra's need for a child.

However, for little Caesarion to be a legitimate king, he needs to be a pure descendant of Caesar … and hence a triangle is formed between Cleoparta, Calpurnia and Caesar.

Can deceit survive this triangle of strength and power?

Can Cleopatra's status as the laughing queen survive her romantic failures and will she still remain as the beautiful, laughing queen loved by the Alexandrian people?

Romance for political power … can Cleopatra and her Roman suitors manage this volatile combination?